Precise transport positioning apparatus using a closed loop controlled, non-direct drive or friction drive system with absolute positioning encoder

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation can include a workpiece carrier movable relative to the workstation and having an encoder strip, at least one encoder reader located at the workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with at least one encoder strip, and a drive engaging the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier relative to the workstation, the drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader. The encoder reader can be selected from a group consisting of an optical encoder reader, a magnetic encoder reader, and any other absolute positioning encoder reader. A closed loop feedback control system can be provided for receiving the signal from the encoder reader, and for generating an output signal in response to the signal from the encoder reader in accordance with a program stored in memory. The encoder reader can be used for generating a signal corresponding to at least one of a position identification signal, a workpiece carrier identification signal, and a workpiece configuration identification signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is a continuation application and claims benefit of pending patent application Ser. No. 11/497,131 filed Aug. 1, 2006, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 10/881,200 filed Jun. 30, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,189, which claims benefit of the priority dates of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/483,700 filed on Jun. 30, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/538,257 filed Jan. 22, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for precisely positioning a workpiece being transported along an assembly line by a closed loop feedback control system for a non-direct drive or friction drive system, and more particularly, an absolute positioning apparatus for use with the transport system where a reader can be positioned in a stationary location at a workstation and an absolute positioning encoder strip can be connected to the movable portion of the transport system for imparting information to the reader relating to pallet and/or workpiece position and/or pallet and/or workpiece identification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A modular conveyor system having multiple moving elements under independent control is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,507. The track includes multiple linear encoder readers spaced at fixed positions therealong, and each pallet includes a linear encoder strip having a length R greater than the spacing E between the readers. Track section controllers associate the encoder strips with only one reader at any time in order to resolve the position of the pallets based on the fixed position of the readers and the relative positions of the strips in relation thereto. The pallets include thrust producing magnets for travel independently along the track, where each track section includes a plurality of individually controlled coils stretching along the length thereof. The section controllers also regulate and commutate the coils of the corresponding track sections in order to independently control each pallet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a precise transport positioning system for non-direct, closed loop controlled, friction drive conveyors. The precise positioning system according to the present invention is suitable for use with a power roll conveyor system, and/or a versaroll conveyor system as commercially available from Progressive Tool & Industries, Co., a corporation of the State of Michigan, having its principal place of business at 21000 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Mich. 48034. An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation includes a workpiece carrier movable relative to a workstation. The workpiece carrier has at least one encoder strip. At least one encoder reader is located at the workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with the at least one encoder strip. A drive engages the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier relative to the workstation, and the drive is responsive to the signal from the encoder reader for locating the workpiece carrier at a position relative to the workstation.

Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transport system having a precise locating apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transport system and precise locating apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the transport system with precise locating apparatus according to the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the precise locating apparatus according to the present invention with an encoder strip attached to the bottom of a movable portion of the transport system and a reader fixed in a stationary position with respect to the workstation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative transport system with precise locating apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the precise locating apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graph depicting acceleration versus time of a known positioning system; and

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating acceleration versus time for the precise positioning system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a precise locating apparatus 10 for a transport system 12 is illustrated. The transport system 12 can take the form of a movable pallet 14 carried on a versaroll drive system 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, or can take the form of an overhead trolley or carrier 18 supported for movement along a versaroll system 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6. In either case, the transport system 12 includes a non-direct friction drive 22. The drive 22 can include at least one motor 26 driving a wheel 24 engagable with the movable portion 14 of the transport system 12. The wheel 24 is driven in response to rotation of the motor 26. The motor 26 is operated in response to signals received from a controller 28. The drive 22 can also include one or more pulleys for transferring rotational motion of the motor to additional drive wheels 24. The transport system 12 can include idler wheels along with the driven wheels along the path of travel if desired. The precise locating apparatus 10 can include an optical encoder reader 30 fixed in a stationary position at a workstation along the path of travel of the transport system 12. The optical encoder reader 30 can be operable to read an encoder strip 32 securely connected to the movable portion 14 of the transport system 12. The precise locating apparatus 10 according to the present invention allows the movable portion of the transport system 12 to be stopped within ±0.4 mm along the direction of the path of travel of the transport system. The precise locating apparatus 10 according to the present invention can also include a locating cam surface and cam follower, such as a locating member and corresponding rollers 34, 36 connected to the movable portion of the transport system in order to precisely locate the movable portion with respect to the workstation.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the transport system 12 can include an overhead trolley or carrier 18 supported on a versaroll drive system 20. The precise locating apparatus 10 can include an optical encoder reader 30 fixed at a stationary location with respect to the workstation and an encoder strip 32 securely connected to the movable portion 18 of the transport system 12. The optical encoder reader 30 operably scans the encoder strip connected to the movable portion of the transport system as the movable portion 18 enters the workstation sending a signal to the controller 28. The controller 28 sends an appropriate signal to the drive motor 26 to control the movement of the movable portion of the transport system in response to the encoder signal. The versaroll drive system 22 can include at least one drive wheel 24 operably engaging the movable portion 18 of the transport system 12. The wheel 24 can be driven in rotation by at least one motor 26. One or more pulleys can also be driven by the motor 26 to drive additional wheels 24 positioned along the path of travel for the transport system. Idler wheels can also be provided along the path of travel if desired. The wheels 24, motor 26 and controller 28 define a non-direct, friction drive 22 for the transport system 12.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the graph depicts the prior known acceleration versus time graph for the transport system. Typically, the movable portion 14 or 18 can be accelerated to a desired speed and prior to entering the workstation can be decelerated to a lower speed prior to triggering the stop mechanism in order to stop movement of the movable portion with respect to the workstation. Typically, the time required for movement can be approximately 5 seconds over 24 feet and the deceleration to a lower speed prior to stopping allows positioning within ±4.0 mm using a slit bar configuration with an 8 mm slot to trigger the stopping of the movable portion. The high speed transport portion can achieve speeds in excess of approximately 300 feet per minute.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an acceleration versus time graph for the precise locating apparatus and transport system according to the present invention is illustrated. In this configuration, the movable portion of the transport system can be accelerated to the maximum speed until the initial reading of the encoder strip by the optical encoder reader at the workstation, at which point control of the drive can be operated automatically in response to signals from the reader to the motor controller. This allows the motor to be decelerated from maximum speed down to the stop position while eliminating the intermediate speed position used in the previously known configurations. This operational advantage allows the time of a typical transfer system to be reduced from 5 seconds to approximately 4 seconds. The optical absolute encoder system according to the present invention also allows positioning of the movable portion to within ±0.4 mm to enhance the accuracy of the positioning achievable with the non-direct friction drive system. The encoder strip connected to the movable portion and the optical absolute encoder reader fixed at a stationary position at the workstation operating through the controller and the motor define a closed loop system for control of the movable portion with respect to the workstation. This closed loop control system for positioning of the pallet with respect to the workstation also does not require any additional electrical or power connections to the movable portion of the transport system. As previously indicated, this control system can be used in both the power roll drive systems and versaroll drive systems of Progressive Tool & Industries, Co., a corporation of the State of Michigan, having its principal place of business at 21000 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Mich. 48034.

The present invention can include an optical bar to accurately position the workpiece in a desired location. The closed loop controlled, non-direct drive according to the present invention is operable to provide absolute positioning of the workpiece carrier with respect to the workstation. The present invention is particularly well suited for respot workstation applications, although it should be recognized that the present invention is applicable to other applications without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention can be used with an electric monorail system conveyor, or with a VersaRoll conveyor system, or with a PowerRoll conveyor system, or with any other closed loop controlled, friction drive conveyor system configurations known to those skilled in the art. The present invention can include an optical encoder system, a magnetic encoder system, and/or any other absolute positioning encoder known to those skilled in the art assembled in a closed loop controlled, non-direct, friction drive configuration. The present invention can be applicable to non-self propelling, externally driven conveyor systems, located either in an overhead configuration, or in an underlying configuration. By way of example and not limitation, the conveyor system can be a pallet delivery system, or an overhead rail delivery system.

According to the present invention, the encoder can pick up one or more pieces of information from the encoder strip attached to the workpiece carrier. The encoder strip can be an optical encoder strip, magnetic encoder strip, or any other accurate absolute positioning encoder strip known to those skilled in the art. According to the present invention, the stationary encoder reader head positioned at the workstation can pick up a pallet ID segment of information prior to encountering the absolute positioning segment of information in the center of the encoder strip. The pallet ID information can be located at both outer ends of the encoder strip so that the pallet ID information is encountered by the encoder reader head prior to encountering the absolute positioning information segment located adjacent the midpoint of the encoder strip. It should be recognized that additional information can also be included on the encoder strip. By way of example and not limitation, the pallet ID information can be replaced and/or augmented with workpiece identification information. By way of example and not limitation, a pallet conveyor system according to the present invention can include non-self propelling pallets externally driven by a closed loop controlled, non-direct drive, such as, by way of example and not limitation, a friction drive device. The closed loop feedback control system can determine the position of the movable member, such as a pallet or an overhead trolley, based on the signal from the encoder reader and in response to the signal can modulate the motor of the non-direct drive, or friction drive, to control the position of the movable member. According to the present invention, this combination of elements provides for flexible, programmable control systems. Since the present invention can identify a particular configuration of movable member, such as a pallet or an overhead trolley, and/or the particular configuration of the carried workpiece, in response to the signal from the encoder reader at the workstation, the control system can stop the movable member at any desired location for that configuration. In particular, the present invention can stop a single movable member at a plurality of positions at a single workstation to allow for better access to different locations of the carried workpiece for processing by automated equipment, by way of example and not limitation, such as welding guns. For example, an optical encoder strip connected to a pallet can be used to accurately reposition the same pallet at different positions at the same workstation. The present invention can also stop different movable member configurations, such as different pallet configurations or different overhead trolley configurations, at different locations with respect to a workstation to improve accessibility to various locations on the different workpieces by automated equipment. For example, an optical encoder strip connected to an overhead trolley can be used to accurately position different trolleys at different positions at the same workstation.

The present invention can provide for the elimination of separate lifters for accurate positioning of the pallet with respect to the workstation. In particular, according to the present invention, the pallet can be accurately positioned along the X-axis corresponding to the axis of travel to a precision of ±0.2 millimeters, in the Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis to an accuracy of ±0.002 inches, and in the vertically extending Z-axis perpendicular to the X and Y-axes to an accuracy of ±0.005 inches. This degree of accuracy can be provided with machine tool surfaces and can eliminate the need for a lift in a pallet conveyor system configuration for a respot workstation. It should be recognized that a geometry workstation can require even more precise location of the pallet with respect to the workstation, and that this can be accomplished according to the present invention by providing a lift device or another type of positioning device, by way of example and not limitation, such as at least one locating pin, to accurately position the workpiece carrier and carried workpiece with respect to the workstation for processing. Depending on the positioning specifications and/or requirements, an alternative method could be used without requiring a lifter or other devices, where positioning can be accomplished according to the present invention with tighter tolerances of components for controlling the precise location along the X-axis, Y-axis, and/or Z-axis as required to meet the positioning specifications and/or requirements.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

1. An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation comprising: a workpiece carrier movable relative to a workstation and having at least one encoder strip, the encode strip having a plurality of different information segments; a single encoder reader located at a fixed position of the workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with the at least one encoder strip; and a friction drive engaging the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier relative to the workstation, the drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader for selectively and precisely locating the workpiece carrier at one of a plurality of predetermined stationary positions relative to the workstation.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the encoder reader selected from a group consisting of an optical encoder reader, a magnetic encoder reader, and an absolute positioning encoder reader.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a controller for receiving the signal from the encoder reader, and for generating an output signal in response to the signal from the encoder reader in accordance with a program stored in memory.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of different information segments comprises at least two of a position identification, a workpiece carrier identification, and a workpiece configuration identification.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the workpiece carrier comprising a pallet having at least two elongate substantially parallel members separated by a plurality of cross members positioned transverse to and connecting to the elongate members, each elongate member supported by a rail housing a plurality of longitudinally spaced wheels substantially encompassed by the rail having a portion extending vertically above the rail in rolling engagement with the elongate members for movement along a path of travel through the workstation.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the workpiece carrier including an overhead trolley suspended from at least one rail for movement along a path of travel through the workstation.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a closed loop feedback control system in electronic communication with the encoder reader and drive operable to selectively stop the workpiece carrier to be at the predetermined stationary positions locations at the workstation for improved accessibility to a carried workpiece.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the encoder strip includes a workpiece carrier identification, the closed loop feedback control system operable to receive a signal from the encoder reader to stop different workpiece carriers allowing at different locations with respect to one another at a single workstation based on the different workpiece carrier identifications.
 9. A method for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation comprising the steps of: moving at least one workpiece carrier having an encoder strip relative to a workstation, the encoder strip having a plurality of different information segments; generating a signal with a single encoder reader located at a fixed position at the workstation as the workpiece carrier encoder strip moves relative to the encoder reader; and engaging the workpiece carrier with a friction drive having vertically oriented wheels for moving the carrier relative to the workstation, the drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader for selectively and precisely locating the workpiece carrier at one of a plurality of predetermined stationary positions relative to the workstation.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: receiving the signal from the encoder reader with a controller; and generating an output signal with the controller to the drive in response to the signal from the encoder reader in accordance with a program stored in memory.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: coding the encoder strip with a position identification, a workpiece carrier identification and a workpiece configuration identification; reading the encoder strip coding through passage of the encoder strip through the encoder reader; and generating a signal with the encoder reader corresponding to the encoder strip identification.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the workpiece carrier includes a pallet having two elongate parallel members and a plurality of transverse crossmembers connecting the elongate members, the method further comprising the step of: supporting the pallet with at least two rails, each rail having a plurality of vertically extending longitudinally spaced wheels substantially encompassed by the rail and in rolling engagement with the respective elongate member for movement along a path of travel through the workstation.
 13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: suspending an overhead trolley defining the workpiece carrier from at least one rail for movement along a path of travel through the workstation.
 14. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: selectively stopping the workpiece carrier the predetermined stationary positions at a single workstation with a closed loop feedback control system for improved accessibility to a carried workpiece.
 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one workpiece carrier comprises a plurality of workpiece carriers sequentially located along a path of travel, the method further comprising the step of: selectively stopping a respective one of the plurality of workpiece carriers at different locations with respect to one another at a single workstation with a closed loop feedback control system based on a signal from the encoder reader corresponding to at least one of a workpiece carrier configuration identification and a workpiece configuration identification on the respective encoder strip. 